Southend-on-Sea Council Tax
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Southend-on-Sea Council Tax 2018/2019
EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019 2 Do it online... Pay it Report it Book it Apply for it Say it Find it View it
EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
Contents
4 About this leaflet
5 The amount you pay
5 Levies 6dp
6 The Council's spending on
services
7 The Council's spending at
Band D equivalent
8 How your money will be spent
and where it comes from
8 Capital investment in
Southend 6dp
9 Leigh-on-Sea Town Council
10 Leigh-on-Sea expenditure plans
11 Exemptions from Council Tax
13 Penalties
13 SMS text messaging
14 Discounts
6dp
15 Disregards
16 Additional help
17 MySouthend
18 Need help?
19 Help us save taxpayers’ money
20 Appeals
21 Recycling Services
6dp
22 Essex County Fire & Rescue
Service Summary
23 Essex Local Policing Summary
27 Council Hotlines
Do it online... www.southend.gov.uk/mysouthend 3
EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
About this leaflet
This leaflet contains information on still maintaining the full range of
how the Council Tax for 2018/19 has services it currently provides.
been calculated and shows where the We are continuing to make efficiency
Council’s funding comes from and how savings wherever we can. This year
it will be spent on Council services we have continued our approach
during the course of the year ahead. to renegotiate existing contracts,
The Council Tax for Southend-on-Sea rationalising our internal systems
has been increased by 4.49%, which and staff structures, generating new
includes 2.99% for general use and income and working with our partners
1.5% Adult Social Care. In addition, to deliver services jointly and more
there are increases from Essex Police, economically.
Essex Fire and Rescue Services and Despite the continuing financial
Leigh Town Council. Overall the constraints we strive to make
Council Tax level still remains as one Southend-on-Sea a better place to
of the lowest in the country. live, work and visit and so we will
2018/19 marks yet another year continue to push regeneration in the
where the Council has had to make town. For example, over the next few
extremely difficult decisions as a years we plan to continue to invest in
result of the significant reduction in Housing, the Airport Business Park,
funding from Central Government. Better Queensway Regeneration,
Going forwards the Government Victoria Avenue, empty properties,
funding reductions continue primary and more particularly
contributing to a further requirement secondary schools, various health
for savings for the Council of and safety schemes, infrastructure
approximately £17 million over the investment for the Pier, the Council’s
period 2019/20 to 21/22. sea defences and road improvements.
However, despite the on-going Full details of the Council budget and
adverse economic and financial level of Council Tax can be found in
conditions, the Council has tried the following pages along with some
wherever possible to minimise the useful information on discounts and
impact on front line services, whilst exemptions for Council Tax.
A summary of this publication can be provided in alternative formats such as
Braille, audio-tape or in large print. Translations of this document in alternative
languages are also available upon request.
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EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
Council Tax 2018/19 • The amount you pay
Each domestic dwelling has been allocated to one of eight bands according to
the open market value at 1st April 1991. The amount per band is as follows:
Council Tax
2018/2019 Council Tax
Leigh-on-Sea 2018/2019
Town Council All other parts Ratio to
Valuation Range of Values Area of the Borough Band D
Band £ £ £
Up to and
A including 40,000 1,072.74 1,041.48 6/9
B 40,001 - 52,000 1,251.53 1,215.06 7/9
C 52,001 - 68,000 1,430.32 1,388.64 8/9
D 68,001 - 88,000 1,609.11 1,562.22 1
E 88,001 - 120,000 1,966.69 1,909.38 11/9
F 120,001 - 160,000 2,324.27 2,256.54 13/9
G 160,001 - 320,000 2,681.85 2,603.70 15/9
H More than 320,000 3,218.22 3,124.44 18/9
Levies
The Borough Council is required to contribute to the services provided in
Southend-on-Sea by the following bodies.
2017/2018 2018/2019
£000 £000
188 Essex Local Flood Defence Committee 195
371 Coroner's Court 415
22 Kent & Essex Sea Fisheries Committee 22
581 Total 632
Flood status warnings and information booklets are available from the 24-hour
FLOODLINE service on 0845 988 1188.
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EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
The Council’s spending on services 2018/19
2017/2018 2018/2019
EXP INC NET Portfolio EXP INC NET
£m £m £m £m £m £m
67.6 (28.8) 38.8 Health & Adult Social Care 71.3 (34.2) 37.1
99.4 (77.1) 22.3 Children & Learning 89.5 (66.3) 23.2
120.2 (109.1) 11.1 Corporate & Community Support 112.9 (102.5) 10.4
Services
12.9 (3.7) 9.2 Culture, Tourism & the Economy 13.4 (4.2) 9.2
4.0 (0.9) 3.1 Technology 4.3 (1.1) 3.2
2.6 (0.2) 2.4 Leader 2.8 (0.2) 2.6
24.6 (27.9) (3.3) Housing, Planning & Sustainability 23.6 (27.5) (3.9)
24.8 (9.9) 14.9 Transport, Waste & Regulatory Services 26.1 (11.8) 14.3
0.6 0.0 0.6 Levies 0.6 0.0 0.6
5.2 0.0 5.2 Contingency 5.7 0.0 5.7
20.6 (0.9) 19.7 Financing Costs, Interest etc 12.6 (1.1) 11.5
0.0 (3.5) (3.5) Non Service Specific Grants 0.0 (2.4) (2.4)
2.7 0.0 2.7 Earmarked Reserves, Capital 11.5 0.0 11.5
Contributions and Exceptional Funding
385.2 (262.0) 123.2 Total Southend-on-Sea Borough Council 374.3 (251.3) 123.0
(32.1) Business Rates (34.0)
(14.7) Revenue Support Grant (10.3)
(3.8) Use of Reserves 0.0
(0.5) Collection Fund Surplus (2.5)
72.1 SBC Unparished Council Tax Requirement 76.2
0.4 Leigh Town Council Precept 0.4
72.5 Total SBC Council Tax Requirement 76.6
8.9 Essex Police and Crime Commissioner 9.7
3.9 Essex Fire Authority 4.1
85.3 Total Council Tax Requirement 90.4
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EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
Council's spending 2018/2019
at Council Tax Band D Equivalent
Band D Equivalent 2017/2018 2018/2019
£ £
Gross Expenditure 6,766.90 6,496.46
Gross Income (4,603.18) (4,360.83)
Net Expenditure 2,163.72 2,135.63
Business Rates (563.27) (590.32)
Formula Grant (259.30) (179.10)
Use of Reserves (66.43) 0.00
Collection Fund Surplus (8.78) (43.39)
What you pay at Band D %
increase
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council* 1,265.94 1,322.82 4.49%
PFCC for Essex – Police & Community Safety 157.05 169.02 7.62%
Essex PFCC – Fire & Rescue Authority 69.03 70.38 1.95%
Other than Leigh-on-Sea Town 1,492.02 1,562.22 4.71%
Council Area
Leigh-on-Sea Town Council 45.99 46.89 1.96%
Leigh-on-Sea Town Council Area 1,538.01 1,609.11 4.62%
*This includes a 1.5% increase specifically for Adult Social Care
Government statement concerning adult social care funding
‘The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has made an offer to adult
social care authorities. (“Adult social care authorities” are local authorities which have
functions under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014, namely county councils in England, district
councils for an area in England for which there is no county council, London borough
councils, the Common Council of the City of London and the Council of the Isles of Scilly.)
The offer is the option of an adult social care authority being able to charge an additional
“precept” on its council tax for financial years from the financial year beginning in 2016
without holding a referendum, to assist the authority in meeting expenditure on adult
social care. Subject to the annual approval of the House of Commons, the Secretary
of State intends to offer the option of charging this “precept” at an appropriate level in
each financial year up to and including the financial year 2019-20.’
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EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
How the money will be spent (£m) Capital Investment in Southend
2017/2018 2018/2019 400
The Council has plans to spend a
65.6
Employees
64.8
total of £92.5m on capital schemes 350
for 2018/19.
General Fund Services £m 300
School Improvement 16.8
250
Enterprise and Regeneration 16.2
Running Expenses 255.8 Transport and Parking Schemes 13.4 200
264.6
Leisure Facilities Improvements 7.2
150
Improvements & Priority Works 6.0
to Council Property 100
Pier, Foreshore & Coastal 6.0
Defence
Schools Budget 43.2
50
32.5
Adult Social Care 5.3
Cost of Capital 20.6
12.4 0
£385.2m £374.3m Investment in ICT 3.4
Where the money comes from (£m) Disabled Facilities Grants and 3.0
Private Sector Housing
2017/2018 2018/2019
Energy Efficiency 2.2 500
Highways & Infrastructure 2.2
Maintenance & Improvements
400
Government Grants 185.3
166.1
Community Safety 0.9
Children and Learning 0.5
Total 83.1 300
Other Grants
14.1 20.4
& Reimbursements
Rents 29.3 29.8 Council Housing £m
Other income 33.3 35.0 Decent Homes Improvements 5.9 200
Business Rates 32.1 34.0 Construction of New Housing 2.8
Revenue Supt. Grant 14.7 10.3 on HRA Land
Collection Fund 0.5 2.5
Use of Reserves*
100
3.8
Acquisition of Leaseholds 0.4
76.2
Council Tax 72.1 Sheltered Housing Remodelling 0.3
Total 9.4 0
*0.0 in 2018/19 £385.2m £374.3m
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EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
Leigh-on-Sea Town Council
Leigh Town Council has once again managed to keep the rise in the precept
to a level below inflation, in real terms a reduction, by careful management of
our resources, forward planning and listening to our residents. Also it must be
said that the government policy of restricting wage rises to our staff to a very
low level has played a role but at the expense of those working hard for their
community. Councillors are unpaid and receive no allowance.
The Council is totally committed to its role in supporting and providing for the
community of Leigh.
What is your money spent on?
❱❱ Help and support of residents on a huge range of issues
❱❱ Planning comments to influence the shape of the future of Leigh
❱❱ Working with volunteers, litter picking etc.
❱❱ Protecting the environment and heritage
❱❱ Providing leisure and fitness facilities
❱❱ Capital projects such as Strand Wharf and skate-park improvements
❱❱ Supporting community groups
❱❱ Working alongside others
❱❱ Funding Special Constables, school crossing patrol and Leigh Old Town
First Aid Post
❱❱ Providing and managing community facilities in particular the Community
Centre, Skate Park and Allotment sites
❱❱ Communicating, listening and supporting our residents
❱❱ Publishing a community news magazine twice a year and a newsletter in
the local press twice a year.
❱❱ Regular popular events such as Leigh Lights, Summer Season on Strand
Wharf and Carol Service
❱❱ Supporting the Arts in Leigh, Affordable Art Wall gallery and Artist in
Residence in the Community Centre
❱❱ Providing the Christmas Lights street decorations
❱❱ Providing street hanging baskets of flowers
❱❱ Supporting local businesses
❱❱ Representing our residents to other authorities
❱❱ Council run monthly Farmers’ Market
❱❱ Council run Community Centre events such as the Childrens’ Holiday
Programme
Do it online... www.southend.gov.uk/mysouthend 9
EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
❱❱ Community Transport Scheme supporting elderly residents and providing
social contact.
❱❱ Local Employer of 15 staff to facilitate and manage all Council services
❱❱ Facilitator of community café which is a local employer of 8 staff
With the necessary repairs and improvements at the Community Centre and
other planned and foreseeable works there will be major expenditure over
the coming years but as a result of careful financial planning none of this is
expected to cause an increase in our precept which we intend to hold at a
steady level.
Leigh-on-Sea Town Council expenditure plans 2018/2019
£
Information & Support Services 336,099
Environment & Leisure 74,563
Policy & Resources 96,210
Allotments 21,857
Planning, Highways & Licensing 11,328
Community Facilities 265,070
Transferred (from) / to reserves (202,790)
Allotments Income (13,085)
Environment & Leisure Income (8,200)
Policy & Resources (2,000)
Community Facilities Income (160,500)
Local Council Support Grant (6,860)
Total Precept 2018/19 411,692
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Exemptions from Council Tax
Certain properties are exempt from the payment of Council Tax. Below is a list
of the exemptions currently available.
Code Exemptions
B Unoccupied and owned by a charity, (these are only exempt for
up to six months.)
F Unoccupied and waiting for probate or letters of administration
to be granted (and for up to six months after probate has been
granted)
Please note that for exemptions B & F Council Tax becomes payable after the
maximum period of exemption. The initial bill may show no charge until the
end of the financial year. A new Council Tax bill will be issued then showing the
changes when the exemption expires.
D, E or I Unoccupied and left empty by someone detained in prison or
hospital, or has permanently moved to receive personal care in
a hospital, a nursing or residential home, or elsewhere.
G Unoccupied because occupation is forbidden by law
H Unoccupied and waiting to be occupied by a minister of
religion
J Unoccupied and left empty by someone who has moved in
order to provide personal care to another person.
K Unoccupied and left empty by full time students living
elsewhere to study
L Unoccupied following repossession by the mortgagee
M Halls of residence provided for the accommodation of students
N Occupied solely by students, school leavers or college leavers
and by partners or dependents (who are not entitled to public
funds) of those students
Do it online... www.southend.gov.uk/mysouthend 11EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
O Property provided by the MoD for armed forces
accommodation. The MoD will make contributions to the cost
of local services in lieu of Council Tax.
P Occupied by members of visiting armed forces
Q Unoccupied and the responsibility of a bankrupt’s trustee
R Unoccupied caravan pitches or houseboat moorings
S Occupied solely by persons under the age of 18
T Unoccupied annexe within a single property which cannot be
let out separately due to a planning restriction.
U Occupied solely by persons who qualify as severely mentally
impaired, but would otherwise be liable for the Council Tax, or
where they share with full time students.
V Occupied dwelling where one or more persons liable for
Council Tax is a diplomat
W Occupied annexe within a single property which is the sole
or main residence of a dependent relative of a person who
is resident in the main dwelling. Dependent means aged 65
years or more, or severely mentally impaired, or substantially
or permanently disabled.
If your bill indicates that a discount,
disregard or exemption has been allowed
and your circumstances have changed
or change in the future, you must let the
Council Tax Team know, as it may affect
your entitlement.
6dp
If you fail to do so you may be required to
pay an initial penalty of £70 and pay any
additional charge due.
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Penalties
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council may impose a penalty of £70 for failure to
notify within 21 days on matters which affect your entitlement to a discount or
exemption. A penalty of £70 may also be imposed if you fail to respond to a
request for liability information within 21 days. Each subsequent failure may result
in a penalty of £280 being imposed. For further details visit the following link
www.southend.gov.uk/info/100001/council_tax
If you wish to appeal a penalty imposed on your bill you should do so in
the first instance to Southend-on-Sea Borough Council. Should you remain
unhappy with the Council’s decision you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal
Service. Any penalty appeal to the VTS should be made in writing within 2
months from the date that the penalty is first included on your bill. Further
details can be found online at www.valuationtribunal.gov.uk
SMS text messaging
If your Council Tax account falls into arrears the Council may send a text
message reminder before taking further recovery action. The Council may also
contact you by text message in order to determine correct liability.
This service can prevent statutory recovery documents being issued and may
help customers avoid paying expensive costs.
Whilst this service is offered to prevent customers falling further into arrears, it
should not be relied upon and may not always be available. It is your responsibility
to maintain the instalments due on your account in line with the demand notice
issued and failure to do so will result in recovery action being taken.
The Council has adopted this service to help assess and collect outstanding
tax. The Revenues Department will therefore not send marketing information,
or pass your details onto 3rd party marketing companies.
However, this authority is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers,
and to this end may use the information you have provided for the prevention
and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies
responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.
Please visit www.southend.gov.uk/dataprotection or call us on 01702 215001
should you require further information.
If you would like to update the Revenues team with a new phone number, or
you would like to opt out of receiving text messages for Council Tax please
visit the Council Tax section on the Council’s website at www.southend.gov.uk
Do it online... www.southend.gov.uk/mysouthend 13EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
Discounts
The Council assumes that two adults live in a property unless we are advised
otherwise. If only one adult lives in a property as their main home the Council
Tax bill can be reduced by a quarter (25%). If a person’s main home is occupied
as a requirement of their job a 50% discount may be available on the second
home.
Empty and Unfurnished Property Discount:
An unoccupied and substantially unfurnished property can be awarded a 100%
discount for a maximum period of 1 month from the date it was last occupied,
assuming it had been occupied for at least 6 weeks immediately before the
empty and unfurnished period.
Second Homes:
A furnished but unoccupied property which is nobody’s sole or main residence
can be recorded for Council Tax purposes as a “Second Home”. No discount is
available but the property will not become subject to the additional 50% Long
Term Empty Premium.
Long Term Empty Properties:
The owner of any property which has been empty and unfurnished for two
years or more is subject to a 50% premium in addition to the usual full Council
Tax charge for the property. Change of ownership or liability does not affect
the premium charged on a property. In determining whether a dwelling is long
term empty, no account shall be taken for any one or more periods less than 6
weeks during which the property is not empty
Discounts on annexes:
If an annexe is used by an occupier of the main dwelling as part of their main
residence, or is occupied by their relatives, a 50% discount can be applied
after any existing discount they may be entitled to. A relative is a spouse, civil
partner, blood relative or step child. Annexes occupied by dependent relatives
may be exempt from Council Tax under Class W.
Property in need of or undergoing structural repair or alteration:
There is no longer a discount available on this basis. If the property is
unoccupied and substantially unfurnished however, it may qualify for up to 1
month Empty and Unfurnished 100% Discount, as described above, and will
thereafter be recorded as empty and unfurnished until the Council is advised
otherwise.
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Disregards
Some people will not be counted when looking at the number of adults
resident in a property. People entitled to a disregard from Council Tax include:
❱❱ full-time students, student nurses, apprentices and Youth Training trainees,
or the spouse or civil partner of a foreign student
❱❱ people who are being permanently looked after in hospital or care homes
❱❱ people who are severely mentally impaired
❱❱ people staying in certain hostels or night shelters
❱❱ 18 and 19 year olds who are at or have just left school or college
❱❱ persons for whom Child Benefit is payable
❱❱ careworkers working for low pay, usually for charities
❱❱ people caring for someone with a disability who is not a spouse, partner,
or a child under 18
❱❱ members of visiting forces and certain international institutions
❱❱ members of religious communities
❱❱ people detained in prison or hospital (except those in prison for non-
payment of Council Tax or a fine)
❱❱ people who are diplomats or members of an international organisation
headquartered in the UK
A 25% disregard can be applied if all but one person are disregarded
A 50% disregard can be applied if all persons are disregarded (unless all
persons are severely mentally impaired or full time students; in this case a full
exemption from Council Tax can be applied)
People with disabilities
If an occupant of your property is dependent on the use of a wheelchair in the
home, or has a room, kitchen or bathroom set aside for their sole use to meet
the special needs of their disability, you may be entitled to have your Council
Tax Valuation Band reduced by one band, or an additional reduction applied if
your property is already in Band A.
Important! You may be required to provide documentary evidence to support
any request for discount or disregard at the time of your application; If
requested information is not provided the Council reserves the right to refuse
the discount.
Do it online... www.southend.gov.uk/mysouthend 15EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
Additional help
Second Adult Rebate
This is only available to Pensioners. This a reduction to your Council Tax
charge based on the personal circumstances of a second adult (not a partner)
in the property.
Council Tax Reduction
If you’re on a low income, you may be entitled to some help towards paying
your Council Tax. This is called Council Tax Reduction (CTR).
Council Tax Reduction is means tested. This means that your income will be
assessed – this includes savings, pensions and your partner’s income.
You can only claim CTR for the property you live in.
❱❱ For Working Age people the CTR awarded is subject to a cap of 75% of your
Council Tax charge; this is paid up to the Band D charge only. Also, you will
not be eligible to claim if you have over £6,000 in savings and capital.
❱❱ For pensioners, there is no cap to the potential award, though as a means
tested benefit it will not always cover your full Council Tax charge. Also, you
will not be eligible to claim if you have over £16,000 in savings and capital.
If you would like to know a more accurate forecast of your Council Tax
Reduction entitlement please use the Council Tax Reductions calculator at
www.southendcts.entitledto.co.uk
To make an application for either or find out more about the scheme go to
www.southend.gov.uk/benefits
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MySouthend
MySouthend enables customers to manage their Council Tax and Business
Rates accounts, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction claims, and
landlord accounts, securely online.
More services are becoming available through
MySouthend over the course of the year.
Thousands of customers have already registered and
are benefitting from the convenience of the service:
❱❱ asy registration online at www.southend.gov.uk/mysouthend
E
Just use your email address, provide some information
about yourself and follow the online instructions.
❱❱ Once you have activated your MySouthend account
and added your service, it is accessible from your
smartphone, tablet, laptop or PC.
❱❱ Receive an email or text message when a new bill or notification
is available to view, rather than a paper copy through the post
❱❱ et instant access, at any time, to your personal accounts or
G
claim information. You may be able to resolve your own queries;
no need to visit the Council or wait in telephone queues!
❱❱ eliable, simple to use online forms, only accessible through your
R
MySouthend account, already filled in with your personal details
❱❱ Make secure card payments, or set up a Direct Debit, the easiest
way to pay
Certain functions, such as making a claim for Housing Benefit/Council Tax
Reduction can now only be done through MySouthend. Check out
www.southend.gov.uk/mysouthend for more information.
Make your life easier by registering your MySouthend account today at
www.southend.gov.uk/mysouthend
Do it online... www.southend.gov.uk/mysouthend 17EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
Need help?
If you do not have access to a computer the Customer Service Centre has
a self serve suite where you can log on and find the relevant information
surrounding this change. Alternatively you can go to any library and use the
online facilities they have there.
The Revenues and Benefits section is committed to help you get ready for this
change. To view the different payment options that are available to you please
visit www.southend.gov.uk/counciltax and select the title ‘Pay Your Council Tax’.
Alternatively please email ctax@southend.gov.uk your query and we will be
available to discuss payment options with you.
There is also other help available for your financial planning. The Citizens
Advice Bureau (CAB) offers free, independent face-to-face and telephone
advice to help people cope with changes in their finances. Advisors will be
able to help you with your financial planning for the new scheme. You can visit:
www.adviceguide.org.uk or call 0844 477 0808.
Help us to help you
Please contact us on (01702) 215001 or by email to ctax@southend.gov.uk if
you are having problems paying your Council Tax so we can make sure you
are receiving all the help you are entitled to. Do not wait until you are in debt
as this often makes it more difficult to solve the problem. Your instalments
are due on the dates shown on your bill; if you pay late you may receive
a reminder notice, final notice or even a summons, which would incur
additional costs on your account.
If you change your address, or if any of your circumstances change in any
way, you must tell us as it may affect your bill. (For example, if you live alone
and another adult is moving in to your property, or the person you live with
moves out, or falls into one of the groups listed under Disregards.)
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Help us save taxpayers’ money
Every year, fraud costs Local Government billions of pounds. Southend-on-Sea
Borough Council believes fair and effective investigation and prosecution is
essential in order to protect public funds and thereby save money, which can
then be used to support vital services.
What are the types of fraud? Some examples are:
❱❱ Council Tax Fraud
❱❱ Stating you live alone when you don’t
❱❱ Not reporting changes in circumstances
❱❱ Housing Tenancy Fraud
❱❱ Being dishonest in order to obtain social housing
❱❱ Subletting a social housing property
❱❱ Key selling or unlawful occupation of a social housing property
❱❱ Being dishonest in order to purchase your social housing property
❱❱ Business Rates Fraud
❱❱ Falsely claiming rate relief or empty property exemptions
❱❱ Social Care Fraud
❱❱ Being dishonest about your financial circumstances
❱❱ Incorrect use of personal budgets.
❱❱ Blue Badge Fraud
❱❱ Displaying or using the Blue Badge when the badge holder is not present
How do I report suspected fraud?
You do not need to give your name just the details of the suspected fraud. The
information you give will be treated in the strictest confidence. If you suspect
that someone is receiving council support such as, Council Tax reduction,
housing or social care, which they are not entitled to, then please:
❱❱ Visit www.southend.gov.uk and use the online ‘Report a Suspected Fraud’ form
❱❱ Send an email to counterfraud@southend.gov.uk
❱❱ Call the Southend-on-Sea 24 hour Fraud Reporting Line number on
03000 999 111 or if you would like to speak to someone directly in the
Counter Fraud & Investigation Directorate call (01702) 215254 during office
hours (9.00am – 5.15pm).
For matters relating to benefits call the National Benefit Fraud Hot-Line number
on 0800 854440.
All allegations received are investigated so the more information you give will
assist us in investigating them fully.
Do it online... www.southend.gov.uk/mysouthend 19EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
Appeals
The Council Tax banding of your home is decided by the Valuation Office
Agency, and not the Council, and is based on what a property would have
sold for on 1st April 1991. If you disagree with the Valuation Band your home
has been allocated please visit the Valuation Office website www.voa.
gov.uk in the first instance for further information and details of the limited
circumstances that constitute a valid proposal to alter the Council Tax Valuation
List. Alternatively you may contact the Valuation Office by telephone on 03000
501501 or in writing to the regional unit at Council Tax East, Valuation Office
Agency, Kings Wharf, 20-30 Kings Road, Reading, RG1 3ER, or by email to
cteast@voa.gsi.gov.uk
You can also make an appeal to the Council if you think that you are not
liable to pay Council Tax, for example if you are not the resident or the owner,
or because your property should be exempt, or if you believe that a mistake
has been made in the calculation of your bill.
In these circumstances please write to the Council Tax section at
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-
on-Sea, SS2 6ER or email ctax@southend.gov.uk with details of your appeal.
20 Do it online... Pay it Report it Book it Apply for it Say it Find it View itEXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
Recycle for Southend
Did you know that for every additional 1% of waste recycled we save £100,000? That’s
£100,000 which can be used to support Council services – instead of just throwing it
away in our black sacks!
Your Improved Recycling Service Rememb er!
Plea se put the
Blue Paper and Card Box
righ t thing in
Newspapers, magazines and catalogues ❱❱ Leaflets, brochures and
the righ t bag ,
junk mail ❱❱ Envelopes (including ones with windows) ❱❱ Shredded
box or bin!
paper ❱❱ White office paper ❱❱ Telephone directories ❱❱ Cereal boxes ❱❱
Ready meal sleeves ❱❱ Kitchen and toilet roll tubes ❱❱ Cardboard boxes ❱❱
Corrugated cardboard ❱❱ Cartons e.g. Tetra Pak ❱❱ Greetings cards ❱❱ Egg boxes
Large cardboard should be flattened and left under, or next to, the box on your
collection day.
Pink Recycling Sack
Household plastic packaging ❱❱ Plastic bottles ❱❱ Glass bottles & jars ❱❱ Foil ❱❱
Food tins & drink cans ❱❱ Confectionary tins ❱❱ Aerosols
Please ensure all items are free from food waste so that we can recycle them.
Blue Food Waste Bin
Recycle all your food waste, whether cooked or uncooked:
Meat & fish (including bones) ❱❱ Bread, cakes & biscuits ❱❱ Fruit & vegetables (and
peelings) ❱❱ Cheese ❱❱ Eggs (and their shells) ❱❱ Rice, noodles & pasta ❱❱
Tea bags & coffee grounds ❱❱ Leftovers & plate scrapings
Use your compostable food waste liners to keep your bin clean – and your reusable
hanger can be presented on your caddy to request more liners when you run out.
Textile Recycling
Clean and dry textiles can be placed in the specially provided clear sacks.
Small electricals recycling
Place any small electricals – from mobile phones to laptops and toasters
– in a normal carrier bag and present alongside your other recycling.
Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs)
❱❱ Stock Road – Southend-on Sea SS2 5QF ❱❱ Leigh Marshes – Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2ET
Present your driving licence or council tax bill as proof of address to access these sites
For opening times and further information about recycling visit
www.southend.gov.uk/recycling
Do it online... www.southend.gov.uk/mysouthend 21EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
Essex County Fire & Rescue Service
planned spending 2018/2019
The Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority has
approved the following budget.
2017/18 2018/19
(£000’s) (£000's)
Gross expenditure 73,909 73,295
Income (3,781) (3,299)
Budget requirement 70,128 69,996
Financed by:
Revenue support grant 11,033 9,347
Business rates 15,427 15,720
Collection fund surplus 846 688
Council Tax 42,822 44,241
Total financing 70,128 69,996
Changes in the budget requirement for 2018/19
£000's
2017/18 70,128
Inflation 700
Other changes (832)
2018/19 budget requirement 69,996
Band A £46.92 Band C £62.56 Band E £86.02 Band G £117.30
Band B £54.74 Band D £70.38 Band F £101.66 Band H £140.76
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service wants 100% of homes in Essex to have
a working smoke alarm.
To get your FREE smoke alarm and home fire safety visit call us on
0300 303 0088 or visit our website.
www.essex-fire.gov.uk @ECFRS /ECFRS
22 Do it online... Pay it Report it Book it Apply for it Say it Find it View itESSEX POLICE
EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
PRECEPT
2018/2019
An extra 150 Three quarters of Further investment
frontline officers new funding being in new technology
bringing the total invested in local and mobile policing
number to more policing
than 3000
Investing in more
local, visible and
accessible policing
Do it online...
www.southend.gov.uk/mysouthend 23EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
Since being elected in 2016, I have
spoken to many of you and you have
consistently told me that you want more
local, visible policing in your communities.
In Essex we have a police service that
has been independently recognised as
providing a good service and good value
for money even though it is the tightest
funded service in the country.
On your behalf I have been working
hard with the Home Office to secure
new funding for policing in Essex and
nationally. The detailed evidence shows
that if we want to tackle new, increasingly
complex forms of crime, invest in
prevention and deliver the visible policing
presence that we understand you want,
we need to increase what we spend on policing
in Essex.
While the majority of funding for Essex Police comes through
central government a proportion is paid for through the policing
element of local Council Tax.
In a recent survey that I conducted approximately two thirds (65%) of
people said that you would be prepared to pay more Council Tax so that
more money could be raised and made available for policing.
Three-quarters (75%) of people who gave a view said they were prepared
to contribute an additional £10 more per year to invest in policing and
the majority of people said they were prepared to contribute over £20.
I am determined to deliver the safe and secure communities I believe
you want and deserve, so with the agreement of the Police, Fire and
Crime Panel, I am increasing the police element of local Council Tax by
£12 a year (for a Band D property) or £1 per month to help invest more
in policing in Essex. This equates to an increase of 7.6% and will raise an
additional £7.5 million in 2018-2019.
The fire and rescue element of local Council Tax will increase by the 2%
set out in the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service 2020 Strategy which
was consulted on and agreed in 2016.
24 Do it online... Pay it Report it Book it Apply for it Say it Find it View itWHERE WILL WE INVEST?
EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
YOU WILL GET:
An EXTRA 150 FRONTLINE OFFICERS bringing the total
number to MORE THAN 3000
THREE QUARTERS of new funding being invested
in local policing
A DISTRICT BY DISTRICT PLAN to show you
where extra investment will go which we will
publish (www.essex.pfcc.police.uk)
Further investment in new technology
and mobile policing
WHERE THE MONEY WILL COME FROM
NEW FUNDING OF £7.5 MILLION FROM THE
INCREASE IN PRECEPT (£1 PER MONTH FOR AN
AVERAGE BAND D PROPERTY)
£3.5 MILLION
IN EFFICIENCY SAVINGS
Do it online... www.southend.gov.uk/mysouthend 25ESSEX POLICE EXPENDITURE BUDGET (£M) 2018-19
EXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
Police Officer
Police PayPay
Officer andand
Allowances
Allowances 161,179
161,179
Police Staff
Police PayPay
Staff andand
Allowances
Allowances 77,489
77,489
Premises, Transport,
Premises, Supplies
Transport, andand
Supplies Services
Services 53,181
53,181
Police Community
Police Support
Community Officers
Support Officers 2,877
2,877
Gross Police
Gross Expenditure
Police Expenditure 294,726
294,726
Community Safety
Community Services
Safety Commissioned
Services Commissioned
by by
PFCC
PFCC 3,458
3,458
Office of the
Office Police,
of the Police,
FireFire
andand
Crime Commissioner
Crime Commissioner 1,193
1,193
Gross Police
Gross and
Police Community
and Community
Safety Expenditure
Safety Expenditure 299,377
299,377
Income
Income -22,762
-22,762
Transfer to earmarked
Transfer reserve
to earmarked reserve 814
814
NetNet
cost of Service
cost of Service 277,429
277,429
FUNDING SOURCES (£M)
Government
GovernmentCore
CoreGrant
Grant £169,621
£169,621
Council
CouncilTax Precept
Tax Precept £107,808
£107,808
ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE POLICE,
FIRE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER:
As the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst is elected by the
residents of Essex.
He is statutorily responsible for:
• setting the budget for Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue
Service and proposing the policing and fire and rescue elements of the
local council tax precept
• setting the strategic direction and priorities for both services
Police officer
Police paypay
officer & allowances
& allowan
• appointing and dismissing the Chief Constable and the Chief Fire
police
police
Officer
community
community support
supportoffio
and holding both of them to account police staff
police paypay
staff and allowance
and allowan
Premises,
Premises,Transport, Supplies
Transport, Suppliea
Services, Third
Services, Party
Third Party
For further information visit www.essex.pfcc.police.uk Income
26 Do it online... Pay it Report it Book it Apply for it Say it Find Income
it View it
or email us on pfcc@essex.pnn.police.uk Operational
Operational Expenditure
Expenditure
Office of of
Office thethe
Police and
Police andEXPLAINING THE COUNCIL TAX 2018–2019
Applications and enquiries can be made
online by visiting: www.southend.gov.uk
View and manage your account online.
Visit www.southend.gov.uk and select MySouthend.
Service Area: Telephone No:
Switchboard 01702 215000
Council Tax, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction 01702 215001
(including Non Domestic Rates)
Housing Advice and Choice Based Lettings 01702 215002
Parking, Highways and Transport 01702 215003
Planning, Development and Building Control 01702 215004
16dp
Environmental Health, Trading Standards & Licensing 01702 215005
Recycling, Waste, Fly Tipping, Fly Posting and Graffiti 01702 215006
Children's Services 01702 215007
(including Education and Children's Social Services)
Adult Social Services 01702 215008
Registration Services 01702 215009
(Births, Deaths and Marriages)
Electoral Registration and Councillor Enquiries 01702 215010
Leisure, Culture and Tourism 01702 215011
(incl leisure/sports facilities, libraries, museums & parks)
s
nces 161,179
161,179
officers2,877
fficers 2,877
nces 77,489
es 77,489
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 08:45 – 17:15
and
es and
53181
53181
-22,962
-22,962
271,764
Do it online... www.southend.gov.uk/mysouthend 27
271,764Published by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council • March 2018
A summary of this publication can be provided in alternative formats such as
Braille, audio-tape or in large print. Translations of this document in alternative
languages are also available upon request.
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